For Medical and Healthcare Professionals

The Physician Outreach Program seeks to build relationships with healthcare professionals, educating them about the disease and increasing referrals to the Alzheimer’s Association.

For more information, contact Gail Allen, Physician Outreach Manager at 646-744-2969 or gallen@alznyc.org.

• Overview
• Facts and Figures
• Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
• Cognitive Assessment Tools
• Materials and Resources for Healthcare Professionals
• ISTAART Membership

Overview

The purpose of the program is to inform healthcare professionals in New York City about the free programs and services the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter provides and to facilitate referrals of persons with dementia (PWD) and their caregivers to the Association. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that the Chapter becomes a vital resource and link to PWDs and their caregivers.

It takes time to talk about Alzheimer’s disease. We have the time.

We understand the time constraints of a busy medical practice can potentially restrict healthcare professionals from offering PWDs and caregivers the ongoing support and information necessary to navigate the non-medical challenges inherent in dementia care. This program provides a way to facilitate PWDs’ and caregivers’ connections to the free services of the Alzheimer’s Association.

We are not promoting a product, but an invaluable service that will help both healthcare professionals and their patients. A representative will make regular visits to meet with physicians, healthcare professionals and staff. The purpose of the visit is to explain how referrals to the Association to deal with non-medical matters can reduce the number of calls the office receives and save time. Our relationships with healthcare professionals are partnerships: collectively providing a combination of medical and non-medical aid.

Facts and Figures

The Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, an official publication of the Alzheimer’s Association, is a comprehensive compilation of national statistics and information on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The report has become the most cited source covering the broad spectrum of Alzheimer's issues.

2013 Facts and Figures now available here

Medicare Annual Wellness Visit

An expert workgroup convened by the Alzheimer's Association has published recommendations to help clinicians detect cognitive impairment during the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit that includes an algorithm and tools for cognitive assessment.

Annual Wellness Visit Fact Sheet

Cognitive Assessment Tools

• Mini-Cog - A three-minute patient screening tool (three-word delayed recall and clock drawing test).
• MIS – Memory Impairment Screen
• GPCOG - General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition
• MMSE - Mini-Mental Status Examination

New videos demonstrate how to assess cognition and disclose an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis in the primary care setting
The Alzheimer’s Association and the American College of Physicians Foundation have produced a three-program series of videos that demonstrate assessment for possible cognitive impairment during a primary care visit and disclosure of an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.

Click here for more Cognitive Assessment Tools and information

Click here for diagnostic information and guidelines

Materials and Resources for Healthcare Professionals

Our Prescription for Care slips enumerate information about our core services – all free and non-medical. They are designed to complement a medical prescription or can be used in lieu of a medical prescription whenever possible.

Download a .pdf of the Prescription for Care pad in English or Spanish

English	Spanish (coming soon)

Click here to order Prescription for Care pads in English and/or Spanish

Rapid Referral is an easy way to link families to an Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter Helpline telephone consultant. This free service offers your clients the benefit of confidential support and information necessary to navigate the non-medical challenges inherent in dementia care.

Rapid Referral Form (PDF)

Additional Resources

Click here for additional resources and information

Click here to download a PDF of the Prescription for Care pad.